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Search resumes for missing British yachtsmen

THE search for four British sailors lost in the Atlantic Ocean has resumed.

The US Coastguard has begun looking for the men who have been missing since Friday (May 16) after 200,000 people signed an on-line petition.

Steve Warren, 52, who was born and brought up in Bridgwater, is among the men who reported getting into difficulties in their yacht, the Cheeki Rafiki, on their way back to England from Antigua Sailing Week.

The initial search for Mr Warren and his colleagues, Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset, Andrew Bridge, 22, from Surrey, and James Male, 23, from Southampton, was abandoned on Sunday.

The Americans had said there was little chance of finding the men, who had climbed into the yacht’s life raft after it started taking on water.

Mr Warren's son-in-law, Dan Carpenter, said: "We are holding out hope. We are aware that it is still a long shot but while there is some hope, we are concentrating on that."

Kay Coombes believes the search for her brother Steve, who was born and brought up in Bridgwater, and the other men was called off prematurely.
Mrs Coombes said: “There is no evidence they didn't get into their life raft, which would have had enough basic supplies to keep them going for days.
“They're all experienced sailors and if anyone could survive, they could.
“They're physically and mentally strong and we feel they’re out there.”
Mr Warren, who attended Sydenham Comprehensive School and followed an apprenticeship at the former British Cellophane factory, is a project manager with an electrical company.
“He loves sailing and this was something he had to do,” said Mrs Coombes.
“Our mother (Margaret Warren, aged 75, also of Bridgwater), Steve's girlfriend and two grown-up daughters and I are all really worried.
“We’re a close-knit family and we're absolutely devastated.”
Mr Goslin’s daughter Claire wrote on the change.org website, where the petition calling on the US Coastguard to resume the search was posted: “One of the sailors is my dad and we cannot give up! He is my world and we need to start this search again!”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of a missing yacht off the east coast of the USA and have offered consular assistance to the families.”